LETTER: Cut risk, lower rates

Most of us carry insurance to avoid overwhelming expenses or to protect our investments.

In some cases, our creditors require insurance since we are using the items insured (automobile, home) as collateral for a loan.

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If our lifestyle is such that it minimizes our risk of insurance claims, we have an affordable expense in paying the premiums. If our lifestyle is such at we have a greater risk, our premiums are greater. These are shown as credits and surcharges on our policy.

An example is our personal automobile policy, in which credits such as daytime running lights, defensive driver training, passive restraints, anti-theft devices, and anti-lock brakes are shown. If we choose to ignore safe driving practices by speeding, running red lights and stop signs, driving under the influence, using a cell phone while driving, or not wearing a seat belt, we pay surcharges. We accept this as a fair method to determine our premiums.

This method of calculating premiums encourages us to use safe practices. It provides affordable insurance to those who use them. If we choose unsafe driving as a way of life, we do not ask others to pay for our choice; we pay it. It should not be otherwise.

Our health insurance premiums far exceed the total of all of our other insurance policies. We need some way to bring these to affordable rates. They do not reflect the risk factor in the premiums we pay.

Legislation is being considered to correct this practice. This is a start in the right direction, but needs to go further. If all medical insurance premiums were based on a lifestyle that results in a low risk, they would be considerably less than what they are now. Not only would it encourage a safer lifestyle, but it would not ask everyone to bear the cost of high-risk lifestyle chosen by a few.

Think about a scenario where the employers would pay the same dollars for medical insurance that did not include coverage for medical expenses associated with a high-risk lifestyles. I venture to say that most of us would not be faced with any copay and better coverage for disease prevention, such as dentistry. If you are self-employed or pay your own medical insurance, think about the lower premiums you would pay.

Just as in automobile insurance policies, if you choose to live a high-risk lifestyle, policies would include an option for the additional coverage at the expense of the individual. This could include coverage for medical costs associated with lifestyles such as one of smoking, illegal drug use, active alcoholics, HIV risk, being overweight by over 50 percent or convicted felons.

If you want affordable medical insurance, you should let your legislator and your employer know of your desires.